New Part L Compliance Toolkit

The new CIBSE Part L Compliance Toolkit is out now. The Toolkit sets out what documents are found under the second tier of Part L, explaining what they mean to those in the industry and how both members and non-members can find the information.

Outlining what is contained in each publication, the Toolkit highlights the importance of keeping up to date with industry regulations and guidance and ensuring that new requirements are met.

The second tier publications follow the introduction of Part L (2006) from 6 April and support the regulations, providing guidance on standard tests on software and the competence of operators, as well as explaining the longer-term implications for the building services industry.

The publication aims to provide a simplified source for professionals such as architects, facilities managers, developers, surveyors, building services engineers and anyone responsible for compliance calculations under Part L.

The Toolkit contains information on the following:

AM10: Natural ventilation in non-domestic buildings

A key source of guidance on avoiding excessive solar gains, as cited in paragraph 63 of ‘Approved Document L2A to the Building Regulations', this document helps architects, developers and facilities managers to apply basic principles of natural ventilation.

TM33: Tests for software accreditation and verification ( the 2006 edition is currently available as a free pdf download only)

Describing a series of standard tests for commercial software calculation tools, this document aims to verify the consistency of such tools in accordance with methods within the CIBSE Guides and is seen as a helpful aid for software developers.

TM22: Energy, assessment and reporting methodology (new edition this month)

This publication is due to be released shortly and aims to provide facilities managers, energy managers and building operators with detailed information on assessing a building's energy consumption compared to established CIBSE benchmarks. It also highlights the role of performance feedback in the design, construction and evaluation of buildings.

TM36: Climate change and the indoor environment: impacts and adaptation (2005)

Industry professionals including architects, engineers, facilities managers, planners and surveyors will benefit from this detailed look at climate change and its impact on summertime thermal comfort and the use of associated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The TM36 publication is referred to in Approved Document L2A as essential reading and uses case studies to assess the expected effects.

TM37: Design for improved solar shading control

Tackling issues that are relevant to CIBSE members wherever they are working, this document provides guidance on how to deal with the potential problems of sunlight and excessive solar gains. This is particularly relevant as the 2006 edition of Part L of the Building Regulations Approved Documents L2A includes a requirement to limit heat gains.

TM38: Renewable energy sources for buildings (coming soon)

This guidance focuses on incorporating renewables into buildings and issues such as identifying the most appropriate low or zero-carbon energy solutions for buildings, taking into account user requirements. A simple interactive software tool is also included to help developers, planners and designers to choose the right option for their development.

TM39: Building energy metering

As good metering is a vital energy monitoring and targeting tool, this publication plays an important role in helping facilities managers and building services designers get to grips with the idea of sub-metering. The publication supports the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Regulations in England and Wales and offers detailed recommendations.

Commissioning Code M: Commissioning management

CIBSE commissioning codes help industry professionals achieve compliance with the new statutory requirement to commission building services systems, as under Regulation L 1 B, ensuring they are commissioned in a proper and timely manner. Commissioning Code M outlines current standards of best practice, as well as providing an overview of the necessary management arrangements.

Guide A: Environmental design

This seventh edition of Guide A addresses the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and UK legislation such as the 2006 Building Regulations Approved Documents L and F. It defines the operative temperature needed to comply with solar overheating guidance and reflects recent research in environmental design.

TM31: Building log book tool kit

As Part L requires building owners to be provided with a building log book detailing building services and maintenance requirements, this publication helps to explain what information is required and in what format. The templates and examples included make it easy for facilities managers, building services designers and specialists to comply with the regulations.

TM42: Fan application guide

A person's health can be seriously impaired by inadequate ventilation, as the quality, temperature and movement of the air can have a significant impact.

Condensation and the growth of mould are a risk to buildings, while air freshness should be controlled with the removal of odours, pollutants and excessive moisture. The essence of the correct air motion is a matter of identifying the correct system, selecting the correct terminations, controls and duct routing and, perhaps most importantly, selecting the correct fan.

First published by HEVAC in 1975, with a second edition in 1981, the Fan application guide has been an invaluable source of practical guidance on fans and their application to systems.

Now published by CIBSE in association with the Fan Manufacturers Association, this wholly new publication builds on the original guide and brings it fully up to date.

The Fan application guide considers the principles and practice of air extract/supply system design, and offers guidance on fan selection to ensure that such systems perform their intended function efficiently.

It has been produced not for the fan engineer, but for the engineer who uses fans. It is aimed not only at specifiers, mechanical services designers and architects, but also at those responsible for building services and plant maintenance.

CIBSE TM42: Fan application guide will be available from the end of June. Check CIBSE's website for prices (link below)